WARWICK, NY – Although optimism is growing in the trade show industry, the COVID-19 pandemic has left an unimaginable amount of damage in its wake, crushing the livelihoods of many in the trade show and event industry.
Martha Donato, founder and president of MAD Event Management, an event planning and management company, and her partner, Marty Glynn, CEO, wanted to do something to help. They spearheaded an initiative focused on helping people in the industry who are out of work. On Feb. 13, the Las Vegas Live Events Industry Food Drive was held, and distributed free boxes of assorted food items.
Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and Three Square, Southern Nevada’s only food bank and the area’s largest hunger-relief organization, helped with the initiative. Three-hundred food boxes that each can feed a family of four for two weeks were distributed.
The second Live Events Industry Food Drive will be held in Chicago on April 30. Donato and the team have partnered with the Greater Chicago Food Depository for help.
“It truly is a collaborative effort. There are so many who are helping,” Donato said. “This is just a small start. We are hoping to not only distribute food to those who need it in our industry but to raise awareness about the tens of thousands of people who are still out of work.”
Related. Trade Show Industry Helps Its Own With Food Drive.
For every $1 donated, the Food Depository is able to provide three meals. All donations made through this virtual drive will be used to purchase food for trade show and event industry community members in need. The goal is to raise $10,000. To participate, go to myfooddrive.org/#tradeshows
Reach Martha Donato at (845) 545-0653 or m.donato@madeventmanagement.com; Marty Glynn at (201) 954-7320 or marty@madeventmanagement.com.
